Domestic incinerator



P 1964 B. L. BRUCKEN ETAL 3,150,619

DOMESTIC INCINERATOR Filed. 0 1;, 25, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 8ran L. Bracken BY ames L. Miller Th el'r A/fomey P 1964 B. L. BRUCKENETAL 3,150,619

DOMESTIC INCINERATOR Filed Oct. 23, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet a L/ START L2BUTTON! :24

-- MAIN '76 HEATER 88 n2 I74 |66 |86 I88 CYCLING THERMOSTAT' TIMER l I78wlsz 7 I90 L V q I T-- (p 2 .80

I92 COOL-OFF 7 5 THERMOSTAT 3 no CRUSHERSOLENOID CATALYST HEATERR 5DRIVE TIMER MOTOR I50 SAFETY LOCK 5 SOLENOID S F TY I60 THERMOSTAT TIMERSW 8 0/! Timer or Hen/er! star! 2 000/ Off 3 Crusher 4 Fan-After Burner+1 Fig. 6 519' 1 INVENTORS Byron L. Bracken BY JamgsL. Mil/er The/rAttorney P 29, 1964 B. L. BRUCKEN ETAL 3,150,619

DOMESTIC INCINERATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 23, 1959 ,los

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3n W y M mwmfiq V M fl B f I. 0 L I a A 0 Wm w BJ .m f B 7 m UnitedStates Pate 3,150,619 DOMESTIC INCINERATOR A a Byron L. Brucken'andJames L. Miller, Dayton, Ohio,

assignors; to" p a Mich; a corporation .ofiDelaware FiledOct. 23-,1959,, Ser. No. 848,465 23 Claims. (Cl. 110-8).

This invention relates to .a domestic appliance and more particularly toan'improvedjincinerator.

The disposal of 'waste has 'long domestic households. The prior art isfilled with devices for attachment to sinks to eliminate refuse bywashing it after grinding-to drain. Similarly, incinerat1on has beenused. for ridding the household of all combustible materials. However,the prior. art methods of incineration have relied solely uponcombustionto eliminate the refuse. Such an arrangement requires anexpensive fireproof chimney' for, removal of the hot products ofcombustion from the. incinerator. Code requirements generally call for achimney-which isbuilt ofrnasonry or other non-combustible material andthus the problem of incineration is made more complicated and expensive.This invention seeks to solve this problem with a domestic incineratorwhich.

may be installed within the living area of a home and which need not beconnected to a chimney'for removal of the products of incineration.

Accordingly, itis an object of this invention torprovide an incineratorwherein the refuse issubjeoted to a de structive or dry distillationprocess.

Affurther object of this invention is the provision of an incineratorwherein the refuse to' be incinerated is subjected to a destructivedistillation process while the volatile combustible products fromdistillation are subjected to a subsequent catalytic combustion.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision of anincinerator having "a distillation chamber and a combustion chamber, anda first heatingmeans for initiating said distillation and a secondcatalytic heating meansfor initiating said combustion.

Amore general objectofthis invention is the provi sion of an incineratorwhich may be installed under a counter in a line of base cabinets.

Another general object of this invention is the provision of anincinerator which may be installed without requir-' ing a gravity flowor natural draft chimney.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an incineratorutilizing a mechanical draft to dilute the air exhausting from saidincinerator, thereby to lower the temperature thereof and to maintainproper pressure gradients in selected portions of theincinerato'r.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a heat' exchangepassageway leading to the catalytic combustion chamber which serves topreheat the air channeled to such combustion chamber and to insulate theincineration process from the outer surfaces of'the appliance cabinet.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an incinerating devicewith means for destructively distilling General" Motors Corporation,Detroit,:

been ,a problem in;

3,150,619 Patented Sept. 29., 1964 FIGURE. 3 is asectional view takenalong line 33- in FIGUREQZ to show the .catalytic combustion burnermply? FIGURE 4 is a sectional view partly in elevation taken generallyalong line 4--4 inFIGURE 2 to show the prime moving air circulatihgandcrushingassembly of this invention; t i v i FIGURE 5 is asehernatic-wiringdiagram of the control systemsuitable foroperating.thefincinerator of this in vention;-- v i FIGURE 6 is atimer.cycle chart illustrating the condition .ofv circuitry in FIGURE 5 at;any given instance during the prescribed control cycle. of thisinvention; and

FIGURE-7 is a. schematic view of the incinerator of this inventionshowinglthe: gaseous current patternsset up during-the operation-oh thisdevice.

In accordance with; this invention and with'reference-to FIGURE 1,anincineraltor l0 is adapted to beinstalled beneath a counter top 12 andinterposed in a line of Wall cabinets 14; The incinerator is adapted tobe front loading and includes a loadingdoor 16 which. is hingedat thebottom and adaptedto be opened by a handle 18 in one portion thereof. Atthe bottom of the incinerator 10 an unloading doorordrawer 20 isdisposed and has a.

handle 22 to assist in. slidingthe draweroutwardlyr- A control button 24is positioned on the access door 16 and may be pushed to initiate atimed incinerating and crushing cycle', as will 'be described more fullyhereinafter ltmay be recognized at thispoint that incineration isaccompanied -.by.relatively.high temperatures. For this reason, thedoors. 16 and 20..are locked in a closed-position during. theincinerating; process.

Reference may nowbe had toFIGURESZ and 4 for a complete disclosure ofthe. structural aspects of the incinerator. 10. The incinerator 10 isdefined at itsouter limits bya casing 26 having a rear wall 28 and a topwall 30;. sidewalls 31, v33 serve also as the side outer limits 32, 34of the appliance (FIGURE 1). To support the incinerator .10. and more;particularly the outer casing 26, anrimperforate base 36 is adapted tounderlie the structure- An intermediatecasing 38 serves as a retainerfor insulation 40' between the retainer 38 and the outer casing 26;Insulation is also included along the sides of the incinerator 10and-gthus the insulation retainer 38" formsa ratherenclosed 'recepgtaclein which a distillation chamber 42 is disposed. The distillationchamber-42 is defined by a 'b ottqm wall 46, a rear wall 48;, a top wall50, andsidefwalls 52, 53. An opening 54'is formed at the frontofthedistillation chamber 4 2-and-is closed by. the distillation chamber:access door 16 which. is pivotally mounted at 56. It is.-important tonote that the distillation chamber 42, is substantially airtight and forthis reason a heat resistant seal 58.-is usedto effect an airtight sealbetween the door 16 andthe chamber 42. For the same reason a seal 59.isused-between the drawer 20 and the casingopening for receivingthedrawer; The bottom of the. distillation chamber 42 issl'anted andopensintoa crushingchambershowrr generally at 60. It is in the area ofchambers 42 and 60 that the incineration by means of destructivedistillation is accomplished.

To the rear of: the distillation chamber 42 isa corn.- bustioncharnber62 which ineludes a plurality of catalyst screens 64, 66,and 68, as.well as a heater-70 for'actuating the catalyst screens. The combustionchamber 62 is formed by a panel 72 ofthe insulation retainer 38.Similarly, the top of'thecombustion'chamber is defined'by a panel74 ofthe insulation retainerwhich is spaced from the top wall 50 ofthe'distillation chamber. This spacing serves'to define a passageway 76';which leads to a meteringopening 78 justabove the'door 16*and connectingthe combustion chamber 62 with the atmosphere. The pas- 's'ageway 76extends Completely across the width of the distillation chamber 42 andthus acts also as an insulati'ng air barrier between the relatively hightemperatures of the chamber 42 and the relatively cool atmospherictemperatures. The passageway 76 serves an additional function in actingas a preheater for the air entering at 78 prior to entering thecombustion chamber 62. Upon reach-ing the catalyst screens 64, 66 and68, air which has traveled rearwardly through the passageway 76 providesthe oxygen for the combustion process, as will be described more fullyhereinafter. this point it is important to note that the inlet 78 hasbeen recited as a metering device, since regulated quantities of air arerequired to complete the combustion in chamber 62. Any excess air willserve to cool the heater 70, thereby limiting the heaters ability tofunction properly in actuating or heating the catalyst screens to theiroperating temperature. The metering device 78 has'also another functionin that temperature may be controlled and limited at the catalystscreens by the flow of relatively cool air through the combustionchamber. It is within the purview of this invention to include athermally responsive device in the passageway 76 to open and close aconventional damper (not shown) which could restrict or increase airflowing to the combustion chamber 62.

A better understanding of the relationship between the distillationchamber 42 and the combustion chamber 62 may be gained from thesectional view partly in elevation in FIGURE 3. There the heater 70 isshown as overlying the top catalyst screen 68 and is retained in a frameor catalyst duct means 80 which drops into an opening 82 in the bottomwall of the combustion chamber. This view shows also the relationship ofthe distillation chamber 42 wherein the sidewalls 52, 53 and the rearwall 48 thereof lie in juxtaposition to the chamber 62 and moreparticularly to the catalyst arrangement shown generally at 69. Severalopenings 84 interconnect the distillation chamber 42 with the combustionchamber 62. The overall area of the openings 84 is sized to permit anegative pressure within the distillation chamber. It is important toprevent oxygen from entering the chamber 42. For this reason theair-fuel (products of distillation) mixture must be separated in thecombustion chamber 62 from the fuel (products of distillation) in thedistillation chamber 42. With a forced draft system to maintain anegative pressure in the distillation chamber 42, the prodnets of thedistillation process will disperse into the combustion chamber 62 andthrough the catalyst assembly 69 wherein the noxious volatile productsof distillation will be oxidized and eliminated.

A destructive distillation process is initiated by a source of heat. Inthe arrangement of this invention, a distillation initiation chamber,shown generally at 86, is located adjacent the bottom wall 46 of thedistillation chamber. The housing 86 is imperforate and completelyencloses a heater 88 and a catalytic screen 90. Heater 88 need only belarge enough to bring the waste in the incinerator up to the point whereit will start to decompose-approximately 1100 watts workedsatisfactorily for the purposes of this incinerator. The only exit fromthe housing 86 is by means of a plurality of downwardly facing louvers92 which open into the distillation chamber 42. The function of thecatalyst screen 90 is to eliminate any oxygen which might enter thechamber 42 due to imperfections in assembling the incinerator. Thus, itacts as a safety device to insure the complete absence of oxygen and toinsure a destructive distillation procedure rather than combustion. Theonly combustion in the incinerator takes place solely in the catalyst orcombustion chamber 62 as the result of drawing the volatile materialsover the heat activated catalyst screens 64, 66 and 68. Moreparticularly, the energization of the heater 88 will create a source ofheat which is radiated by a reflective surface 94 toward thedistillation chamber 42. As the temperature of the waste placed withinthe chamber is 4 raised, a point will be reached at which thedistillation process will commence. Once the distillation process isunder way, no combustion air is required in the chamber 42 for theaction is exothermic and will be self-sustaining as soon as thetemperature is high enough to start the reaction.

External to both the distillation chamber 42 and the combustion chamber62 but communicating therewith is a mechanism chamber 96. In this areais housed the machinery for setting up an air flow system and forcrushing the residue from the distillation process. More particularlyand with reference to FIGURES 2 and 4, the

mechanism chamber 96 includes a blower 98, a crusher V mechanism showngenerally at 100, and actuated through a linkage shown generally at 102by a motor or prime mover 104. Both the fan 98 and the crusher mechanism100 are selectively actuated by the motor 104 depending on thepositioning of a clutch solenoid 106 which through a linkage 108positions a clutch 110. Of course, it is within the purview of thisinvention to use any type of clutch. For instance, the motor 104 may bereversible and provided with wound spring clutches such that bloweroperation will occur with the motor running in one direction and crusheroperation with the motor in reverse. During the course of theincinerating cycle, the motor 104 is utilized to drive either the blowerand/or the crusher. Supported from the base 36 of the incinerator is anintermediate support or housing 112 on which the motor mounting bracket114 is afiixed. This housing 112 serves also to enclose the storagecompartment 116.

The air system of the incinerator 10 will now be described in connectionwith FIGURES 2 and 4. A set of air restricting louvers 118 is built into the rear wall 28 of the incinerator casing 26. In operation the inlet99 of the blower 98 will receive its inlet air through both the meteredopening 78 and the restricted louvered opening 118. It is important tonote that the louvers 118 are designed to restrict air flow, thereby toprovide a negative pressure in the distillation chamber 42 in theneighborhood of two inches of water or approximately one-twelfth poundsper square inch, thereby to purge air from said chamber. This air flowsystem will be understood more fully in connection with the explanationhereinafter of the operation of the incinerating system of thisinvention.

Disposed beneath the destructive distillation chamber 42 and in directcommunication therewith is the crushing chamber 60. To effect thecrushing concepts of this invention the crushing mechanism 100 includesa fixed pres- Sure jaw 120 and a movable pressure jaw 122, both of whichjaws have a plurality of generally downwardly sloping teeth. The linkage102 is operated by an eccentric 124 on the rotating motor shaft 126which causes a reciprocating movement of the lever 128. Thisreciproeating action causes a rocking movement of the pressure jaw 122..Such rocking movement feeds the gradually crushed residue through anopening 130 at the bottom of the crushing mechanism 100 and into an opentop receptacle 132, the forward wall of which is the exposed portion ofthe drawer 20. Subsequent to an incinerating cycle and after thetemperatures have cooled to a safe degree, the drawer 20 may be removedto empty the crushed and compacted residue from the incinerator. Itshould be noted that a check plate 134 lies in closely adjacentrelationship to each side of the crusher jaws 120 and 122. This cheekplate on each side of the jaws restrains the residue and keeps it withinthe bounds of the crusher mechanism. At the bottom of the pivotal jaw122, a downward extension 136 is pivotally mounted at 138 to a bracket140 fastens as at 142 to the support bracket 112. It should berecognized that considerable force is exerted at this point and thus thestructural mem bers including the housing 112 must be designedsufficiently strong to withstand these stresses. A similar pivo ingarrangement is included at the opposite. side of the pivoting crusherjaw.

The operation of the novel incinerating appliance of this invention willbe now described in connection with the schematic view of FIGURE 7wherein like parts will carry like numerals to those set forth inconnection with the preferred construction hereinbefore. The entirecombination incineration and crushing cycle will be controlled by atimer 150 which may be located inside the access door 16. It should berecognized, however, that the timer 150 should be able to withstandelevated temperatures resulting from the distillation process within thechamber 42. t is within the purview of this invention to locate thetimer 150 in a relatively cooler area, such as the mechanism compartment96. The timer 150 will include a plurality of cam actuated switcheswhich are shown more particularly in the schematic wiring diagram ofFIGURE 5. The positioning of these switches in connection with thecircuitry shown will effect waste incineration in the sequence taught bythe'timer cycle chart of FIGURE 6. Thus, FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 will be usedin the description of the incinerator operating cycle.

A cycle will be initiated by opening the access-door 16 and placing intothe destructive distillation chamber 42 a quantity of refuse which willbe disposed in the area generally between the chambers 42 and 60 andimmediately adjacent the distillation initiation chamber 86. The door 16is then closed and the start button 24 pushed to start the incinerationcycle. A suitable residential electrical supply L1 and L2 may beutilized for the purposes of energizing the incinerator 10. The controlcircuitry includes a cam actuated switch 1 in the timer and main heatercircuit, a cam actuated switch 2 in the start ciremit, a cam actuatedswitch 3 in the cool-off circuit, a cam actuated switch 4 in the crushersolenoid circuit, and a cam actuated switch 5 in the catalyst heater orafterburner circuit. In addition to the elements described hereinbeforein connection with the construction of the device, a safety precautionis built into the circuit and includes a solenoid 154 which actuates apair of latch bolts 156 and 158 to lock the door 16 and drawer 20,respectively, in a closed position whenever a thermostatic safety device160 closes the circuit to the solenoid 154. More particularly, thethermally responsive device 160 is closed on a contact 162 whenever thetemperatures are above 250 F. and is opened when the temperatures arebelow 200 F. This prevents the opening of the incinerator doors whenevertemperatures within the device are at an elevated condition.

Two other thermally responsive devices are utilized for the operation ofthis appliance. The heater and timer cycling thermostat 164 operatesbetween a contact 166 leading to the main heater 88 and a contact 168leading to the timer motor 152. The thermostat 164 is adapted to closeupon the contact 166 at 650 F. and below and to close upon the contact168 at 700 F. or above. A cool-off thermostatic device 170 acts to closea circuit to the timer motor 152 whenever the temperatures within thedistillation chamber 42 are below 300 and to open the circuit when above400 F. Thus, the cool-01f thermostat prevents premature crushing whilethe residue is too hot. This cool-off period is shown schematically onthe timer cycle chart of FIGURE 6 as that period of suspended timeroperation after the thirtieth timer interval.

When the start button 24 is energized, currentwill flow through L1, line172, the start solenoid 174, the start button switch 24, line 176, thethermostatic device 164, which is cool, line 178, the cam actuated timerswitch 2, which is closed as shown in the timer cycle chart FIGURE 6,the line 180 and line 182 to the timer motor 152 and from there throughline 184 to L2. The timer 150 is now energized to sequentially positionthe cam actuated switches 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. After a single startingincrement, the cam actuated switch 5 is closed to energize the catalystheater 70 in the afterburner, the drive motor 104 and the door anddrawer safety lock solenoid 154 circuit. Of course, the door and drawersafety lock circuit de- 6 pends on the positioning of the thermostaticswitch 160. As aforesaid, a high temperature within the incinerator(above 250 F.) will cause the switch 160 to close on the contact 162 andthus energize the door and drawer lock circuit whenever the timercam'actuated switch 5 is closed.

The initiation of the destructive distillation process is etfected atthe start-of the third timer pulse when the timer switch 1 is closed,thereby dropping 'out the start winding circuit by shunting and therebydeenergizing the holding circuit solenoid 174. The mainheater SS is thusenergized-from L1, line 186, the timer switch blade 1, line 188, thecycling thermostatic device 164 which due to the cool situation withinthe incinerator is oncontact .166, the line 191, main heater 88 to L2.Since the distillation initiation chamber 86 is completelyclosed andprovided with a reflective interior surface, the heat radiated will bedirected through the louvers 92 into the distillation chamber 42 andupon the refuse which lies upon the louvers. As the temperature iselevated, the refuse will start to distill-the duration of thedistillation or decomposing depending upon the type of refuse beingburned and its own particular distillation temperature. It bearsemphasizing that no combustion air is required for the reason that theaction is exothermic and will be self-sustaining once the temperature ishigh enough to start the distillation reaction. Thus, the entirestructure of the incinerator is designed to prevent air from enteringthe distillation chamber 42. However, it is recognized that some leakageis bound to result and for this purpose, the catalyst screen is placedin juxtaposition to the main heater 88 and serves to insure a completeabsence of oxygen during the distillation process.

After the third timer pulse, it will be noted that the timer motor 152is energized alternately with the main heater 88 under the control ofthe thermostatically operating switch 164. Thus, the entire incineratingprocess moves in stepped fashionthe heater 88 and the timer motor 152operating alternately. More particularly, temperatures above 700 F. willposition the switch 164 on a contact 168 to deenergize the main heater88 and to energize the timer motor 152. Alternately, when distillationchamber temperatures at the thermostat 164 are below 650 F., the heater88 will operate and the timer motor 152 will not. Throughout thedestructive distillation process, the timer contact 5 is closed toenergize the drive motor 104 and the after-burner heater 70 for heatingthe plurality of catalyst screens 64, 66 and 68.

As the destructive distillation process proceeds, the residue within thechamber 42 will be reduced. Such reduction gives off a gaseous materialwhich is volatile and combustible. During this reduction or distillationprocess, the operation of the blower or fan 98 draws air towards itsinlet 97 through both the restricted air inlet opening 118 and themetered air opening 78. The air drawn to the combustion chamber 62through the passageway 76 mingles with the volatile combustible productsflowing due to pressure differential from the chamber 42. Convection isnot responsible for the products leaving the chamber 42. One reason issimply that as the solid refuse changes to a gaseous product, the entiremass expands and such expansion occurs through the openings 84interconnecting the combustion chamber 62 and the distillation chamber42. Also, a negative pressure is maintained within the chamber 42 andsuch negative pressure, brought about by the blower 98, is eifective tocause an egress of the volatile combustible products into the combustionchamber 62. Once in the chamber 62, the products of distillationcommingle with the preheated atmospheric air entering the combustionchamber 62 from the passageway 76. This mixture is drawn across thecatalyst afterburner assembly 69 andthe volatile materials oxidized. Atthe outlet of the catalyst assembly, the temperatures are considerablyelevated. Thus, the relatively cool dilution air drawn into themechanism chamber 96 through the louvered opening 118 mixes with thehigh temperature products of combustion and tempers the resultanttemperature of the mixture to a degree which is suitable for beingexhausted by the blower 98 through its outlet or conduit 99. This outlet99 may be taken directly through the wall of a kitchen or room in whichthe appliance is installed and a conventional outside vent cover or hoodplaced over the exposed duct 99 to direct the relatively'cool mixture ofair and products of combustion downwardly and to minimize backdrafts. Itshould be noted that the mixture is innoxious and at a relatively lowtemperature and thus need not be removed from a residence by means ofexpensive masonry chimney. v

In brief, refuse is decomposed in the distillation chamber 42 i nto avolatilecombustible gaseous material which is expanded out of thechamber 42 into a chamber 62 Where oxygen is added and the resultantmixture oxidized to eliminate all of the noxious products of thedistillation process. Throughout the distillation of the refuse, thetimer motor 152 and the heater 88 are alternately energized-the objectbeing to supply added heat only when the chamber 42 is below 700 F. andto advance the timer toward its conclusion. Approximately twenty-nineminutes have been allowed in the timer cycle chart of this invention,however, it should be recognized that considerable leeway may beprovided in this area depending on the material which is to beincinerated.

At the beginning of the thirtieth timer pulse, the cam actuated switch 3will be closed. At this time, the timer switches 1, 3 and 5 are in aclosed condition to energize the fan motor 104 to cause a circulation ofair, to energize the afterburner or catalyst assembly 69 for eliminatingthe noxious volatile products from the distillation process and tocondition the heater 88 for thermally selective energization. Note thatthe circuit in which the cam actuated switch 3 is located includes thecool-01f thermostatic switch 170 and the timer motor 152. This circuitis called the cool-off circuit and follows from L1, line 190, line 192,the cam actuated switch 3, the thermostatic cool-off thermostat 170,line 182, timer motor 152, and line 184 to L2. In the interval betweenthe thirtieth and thirty-first timer pulse, the incinerating cycle isplaced completely under the control of the cool-off circuit oftimerswitch 3. The opening of the switch 1 prevents the operation ofeither the timer motor 152 or the main heater 88 through this circuit.Timer motor operation will thus depend solely on the energizationthrough the cool-off circuit which includes the thermostatic device 170.

Since the distillation process is followed by one in which the residueis crushed or compacted and dropped into a storage bin, it is desirableto withhold this crushing operation until temperatures within theappliance are reduced below 300 F. Under the control of the distillationthermostat 164 temperatures in the distillation chamber 42 average inthe neighborhood of 650 F. up to 700 F. At the conclusion of thethirtieth timer pulse, the 700 F. figure prevails as the timer runs outon the destructive distilling portion of the cycle. These temperaturesmust be reduced before the thermostat 170 will close to energize thetimer motor 152 for starting the crushing portion of the cycle. For thisreason the timer cycle chart of FIGURE 6 shows an indeterminate area onthe chart on which the timer is off. The duration of this interval willdepend solely on the length of time that it takes the incinerator tocool from approximately 700 F. to approximately 300 F. During suchinterval (timer switch 5 closed) the afterburner 70 will remainenergized to oxidize any trailings from the distillation process. Theclosed relationship of switch 5 will also energize the motor 104 to keepthe fan operating as an aid to the cooloif period. At the instant thatthe thermostatic switch 170 closes on the contact 171, the timer motor152 will be reenergized and the timer pulse next following will closethe cam actuated switch 4. The switch 4, in turn, will energize thecrusher solenoid 106 to shift the motor 104 from driving the blower 98to driving the crusher mechanism 100. It should be appreciated that aconventional gear reduction arrangement may be included within the motorto provide the slow powerful drive needed to pulsate the linkage 102 inpivotally oscillating the crusher jaw 122. As the jaw 122 oscillates,the downwardly facing teeth on both jaws cooperate to compact theresidue and to feed it downwardly into the storage drawer below.

During the crushing portion of the incinerating cycle, the cam actuatedswitch 5 will remain closed to keep the afterburner catalyst heater 70energized. In this way, any left over volatile gases from thedistillation process will be eliminated as they pass through thecombustion chamber 02. The circuit including switch 5 also includes thedoor and drawer safety lock solenoid 154 which is in series with thetemperature responsive safety switch 160. A short time after theincinerator has cooled to 300 F. to reenergize the timer for crushing,the appliance will have cooled further to approximately 200 F. to openthe switch and deenergize the lock solenoid 154. After this, both thedoor 10 and the drawer 20 may be opened. Another incineration cycle maynow be started or the compacted waste residue may be removed from theslidably removable drawer 20. During the final crushing portion of theincineration cycle, the timer 152 will be energized through the circuitincluding the cam actuated timer switch 3. At the beginning of thethirtyfourth timer interval, the timer switch 2 will be closed tocondition the control circuitry for a subsequent starting cycle. At theconclusion of the thirty-fourth timer interval, cam actuated switches 3,4 and 5 will be opened and the combination incinerating and crushingcycle will be completed.

The foregoing has taught an improved incinerator which may be installedin habitable areas of a residence and need not be attached to aconventional masonry chimney for smoke and odor removal. The incineratorof this invention uses a destructive distillation process to reduce thewaste in the complete absence of oxygen. The catalyst combustion chamberis used in conjunction with the distillation procedure to eliminate thenoxious volatile combustible gases resulting from the distillationprocess. Mechanical draft rather than gravity draft is used to dilutethe increased temperatures issuing from the combustion chamber and suchmixing reduces the temperatures to a safe level which may be dischargedimmediately through any outside wall adjacent to which the appliance isinstalled. The improved cycle is completed with a crushing mechanismwhich both advances and compacts the residue remaining from thedistillation process into a storage drawer disposed beneath thedistillation chamber for subsequent removal and disposal. Althoughcatalyst screens have been set forth in connection with the foregoingdescription, it should be understood that any other form of catalyst maybe used-a bed of aluminum oxide pellets for instance.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An incinerator having a casing defining a distillation chamber, astorage chamber, and a combustion chamber, said casing having anatmospheric air inlet leading to said combustion chamber, saiddistillation chamber having a first heater, a first catalyst screenadjacent said heater and an opening connecting said distillation chamberwith said combustion chamber, said combustion chamber having a secondcatalyst screen and a second heater for activating said second screen,said storage chamber having a slidably removable drawer adapted to fitin substantially air-tight relationship to said casing, means to supplyatmospheric air to gases from the combustion chamber, a blower havingan'inlet opening in communication with said incinerator and receivinggases-from said combustion chamber andcair from the atmosphere, anelectrically controlled crusher mechanism beneath said distillationchamber, a prime mover for driving said blower and for actuating saidcrusher mechanism, and a timer circuit having a timer motor and aplurality of timer motor operated cam-actuated switches for sequentiallycontrolling said incinerator, a first circuit portion in which saidfirst'heater is connected and having a first cam-actuated switchoperated by said timer motor to close said first circuit portion to saidfirst heater -for sustaining said distillation, said first circuitportion including a first thermally responsive switch having either afirst position for thermally selectively conditioning said first circuitportion for energizing said first heater or a second position forthermally selectively conditioning said timer motor for energizationthrough said first cam-actuated switch, a second circuit portion havinga second cam actuated switch operated by said timer motor to closebefore said first cam-actuated switch to energize said sec- 'ond heaterand said prime mover, a third circuit portion having a thirdcam-actuated switch and a second thermally responsive switch in seriesflow relationship with said timer motor, said third cam actuated switchoperated by said timer motor to close before said first camactuatedswitch opens, and said second thermally responsive switch thermallyclosable after a predetermined drop in distillation chamber temperature,a fourth circuit portion connected to said crusher mechanism and havinga fourth cam-actuated switch operated by said timer motor to close aftersaid predetermined drop in temperature for energizing said crushermechanism to compact and feed the residue from said distillation intosaid slidably removable drawer, and means for supplying electricalenergy to said circuit portions.

2. A domestic incinerator having a casing defining a substantiallyair-tight distillation chamber and a com bustion chamber, said casinghaving an atmospheric air inlet leading to said combustion chamber, saiddistillation chamber having a first heater, a first catalyst screenadjaacent said heater for eliminating free oxygen in said distillationchamber and an opening connecting said distillation chamber with saidcombustion chamber, said combustion chamber having a second catalystscreen and a second heater for activating said second catalyst screen,means to supply atmospheric air to gases from the combustion chamber, ablower having an inlet opening in communication with said incineratorand receiving gases from said combustion chamber and air from theatmosphere, a prime mover for driving said blower, an electrical powersupply, circuit means connected to said power supply for sequentiallycontrolling said incinerator including a timer having a timer motor anda plurality of timer motor operated switches, said circuit means havinga first circuit portion including a first switch operated by said timermotor to close said first circuit portion to said first heater forsustaining said distillation, said first circuit portion including afirst thermally responsive switch in series with said first timer motoroperated switch and thermally movable either to a first position forselectively energizing said first heater or to a second position forselectively energizing said timer motor, and said circuit means having asecond circuit portion including said second heater and a second switchoperated by said timer motor to close before said first timer motoroperated switch to energize said second heater and said prime mover.

3. The incinerator of claim 2 wherein said casing encloses a crushingmechanism in communication with said distillation chamber, and saidcircuit means includes thermally responsive means for preventingoperation of said crushing mechanism when the temperature of saiddistillation chamber is above a predetermined value.

4. In combination, a waste incinerator having a casing defining anair-tight distillation chamber and a combustion chamber, means defininga passageway between said chambers, means including a heater means and afirst catalyst means for said distillation chamber, means for supplyingair to said combustion chamber, second catalyst means in said combustionchamber, control means including means for selectively intermittentlyenergizing said heater means tocontrol the distillation of said wasteand including means for selectively actuating said second catalyst meansto oxidize the products of said distillation, and means in communicationwith said combustion chamber for cooling said oxidized products ofdistillation and for maintaining said distillation chamber under anegative pressure.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said last named means comprises afan having an inlet in communication with said combustion chamber and anoutlet in communication with the atmosphere.

6. In combination, a waste incinerator having a casing defining anair-tight destructive distillation chamber and a combustion chamberinterconnected with said distillation chamber, heater means for saiddistillation chamber means forsupplying air to said combustion chamber,catalyst means for said combustion chamber, means thermally responsiveto temperature in said distillation chamber 'for energizing said heaterto control the distillation of said waste, means for actuating saidcatalyst to oxidize the products of said distillation, and means forcooling said oxidized products of distillation and for maintaining saiddistillation chamber under a negative pressure.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said means for supplying airincludes an atmospheric air inlet conduit in heat exchange relationshipto said distillation chamber.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said means for cooling is incommunication with said air inlet conduit and said distillation chamberand maintains said conduit under a greater pressure than saiddistillation chamber.

9. In combination with an incinerating and a compacting appliance havinga loading door, a distillation heater, a catalyst heater and a compactoractuator, a control system comprising, a power supply connected to thecontrol system, a timer for controlling said appliance through periodsof distillation, combustion, cool-ofi and compacting and having a timermotor and first, second, third and fourth timer switches, a firstthermally responsive means connecting said first timer switchalternately to said distiilation heater or said timer motor during saiddistillation period, a second thermally responsive means connecting saidsecond timer switch to said timer mot-or during said cool-off period,means for connecting said third timer switch to said compactor actuator,means for connecting said fourth timer switch to said catalyst heater,means in said timer for closing said first switch during saiddistillation period, said second switch during said cool-off period,said third switch after said cool-off period and said fourth switchduring periods of said distillation, cool-off and compacting, and meansefiective while said fourth switch is closed to prevent opening of saidloading door.

10. The control system of claim 9 wherein said last named means isthermally responsive to temperatures in said incinerating andcompactingappliance.

11. In combination, an appliance for incinerating waste and having acasing defining a substantially air-tight destructive distillationchamber, an access door movable for loading said chamber with waste,means for eliminating any free oxygen from said chamber, means forthermally selectively controlling the destructive distillation of saidWaste in the absence of said free oxygen, means for eliminating theproducts of said distillation, and thermal.- ly responsive means toprevent opening said access door while temperatures in said'distillationchamber are above a predetermined value.

12. In combination, an appliance for incinerating waste and having acasing defining a substantially air-tight destructive distillationchamber, means including a catalyst 1 1 in said chamber for eliminatingany free oxygen from said chamber, means including a heating means insaid chamber for selectively controlling the rate of destructivedistillation of said waste in the absence of said free oxygen, and meansfor eliminating the products of said distilla tion.

13. The combination of claim 12 including a blower in communication withsaid chamber for maintaining said chamber under a negative pressure.

14. In combination with a waste incinerator having a substantiallyair-tight distillation chamber and heater means in said chamber forinitiating and regulating said distillation, a control circuit includinga timer for sequentially controlling said incinerator in a distillationperiod wherein said waste is destructively distilled, and means in saidcircuit thermally responsive to temperatures in said chamber forselectively energizing said heater or said timer in alternating fashionthroughout said distillation period.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said circuit includes thermallyresponsive lock means for preventing access to said chamber duringoperation of said incinerator.

16. In combination, an appliance for incinerating waste and having acasing defining a substantially air-tight destructive distillationchamber, means including a catalyst in said chamber for eliminating anyfree oxygen from said chamber, and means including means for distillingwaste in said chamber and means for selectively controlling said meansfor distilling Waste with respect to the temperature in said chamber,thereby to control the rate of destructive distillation of said Waste inthe absence of said free oxygen.

17. In combination, an appliance for incinerating waste and having acasing defining a substantially air-tight destructive distillationchamber, catalyst means for oxidizing any free oxygen in said chamber,and means for distilling waste in said chamber including means thermallyresponsive to temperatures in said chamber for selectively controllingthe rate of destructive distillation of said waste in the absence ofsaid free oxygen.

18. In combination with a waste incinerator having a substantiallyair-tight distillation chamber and heater means in said chamber formaintaining the rate of said distillation, a control circuit including atimer for sequentially controlling said incinerator to initiate andterminate a distillation cycle, and means in said circuit thermallyresponsive to temperatures in said chamber for selectively energizingsaid heater means or said timer in alternating fashion throughout saiddistillation cycle.

19. In combination, an appliance for incinerating waste and having acasing defining a substantially air-tight destructive distillationchamber, catalyst means in addition to the distillation of said wastefor eliminating any free oxygen from said chamber, means forelectrically heating in said chamber for maintaining a destructivedistillation of said waste, and means including said means forelectrically heating for controlling temperatures in said chamber toselectively control the rate of said destructive distillation.

20. The combination of claim 6 wherein said lastnamed means includes afan having an inlet in communication with the atmosphere for drawing indilution air and in communication with said combustion chamber forwithdrawing oxidized products of distillation, said fan having an outletfor exhausting the mixture of said dilution air and said oxidizedproducts of distillation at temperatures relatively cooler than saidoxidized products of distillation.

21. In combination, an appliance for incinerating waste and having acasing defining a substantially air-tight destructive distillationchamber, means including a catalyst in communication with said chamberfor eliminating any free oxygen from said chamber, means including aheating means for selectively controlling the rate of destructivedistillation of said Waste in said chamber in the absence of said freeoxygen, and means for eliminating the products of said distillation,said last named means including a fan having an inlet in communicationwith the atmosphere for drawing in dilution air and in communicationwith said distillation chamber for withdrawing said products ofdistillation, said fan having an outlet for exhausting the mixture ofsaid dilution air and said products of distillation at temperaturesrelatively cooler than said products of distillation.

22. In an appliance for installation in a kitchen and having a casingdefining a substantially air-tight chamber, an access door movable forloading said chamber, means including a catalyst in communication withsaid chamber for eliminating any free oxygen from said chamber, meansincluding heating means in said chamber and temperature responsive meansselectively controlling said heating means for causing destructivedistillation of waste in said chamber thereby to control the rate ofdestructive distillation of said waste in the absence of said freeoxygen, door lock means controllable when said access door is closed toprevent opening said access door, and temperature responsive meansselectively controlling said door lock means to prevent the access doorfrom being opened while temperatures in said chamber are above apredetermined value.

23. In an appliance for installation in a domestic kitchen and havingwall means defining an outer cabinet and casing means inside saidcabinet defining a chamber, an access door movable for loading saidchamber, catalyst duct means including a catalyst in communication withsaid chamber for altering gaseous products from said chamber which passin contact with said catalyst, means including heating means in saidchamber and temperature responsive means selectively controlling saidheating means for controlling the rate of heating in said chamber, doorlock means controllable when said access door is closed to preventopening said access door, temperature responsive means selectivelycontrolling said door lock means to prevent the access door from beingopened while temperatures in said chamber are above a predeterminedvalue, said wall means spaced from said casing means to form anatmospheric air inlet conduit between at least one Wall of said wallmeans and said casing means and coextensive with said one wall and inheat exchange relationship with said chamber to form an insulating airbarrier between the relatively high temperature of said chamber and therelatively cool temperature of said atmospheric air, said conduit havingone end in communication with the atmosphere and the other end incommuni cation with the catalyst duct means, and blower means foreffecting air flow through said conduit and said catalyst duct means,said air flow through said conduit effecting a negative pressure in thearea of communication of said conduit with said catalyst duct meansthereby to draw gaseous products from said chamber to said catalyst.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS763,369 Conley June 28, 1904 988,862 Conley Apr. 4, 1911 1,134,512 CarrApr. 6, 1915 2,240,618 Harris et al. May 6, 1941 2,625,121 VanderwerfJan. 13, 1953 2,693,775 Berry Nov. 9, 1954 2,744,477 Hartley et al May8, 1956 2,783,723 Lowenthal et al. Mar. 5, 1957 2,823,626 Raucher Feb.18, 1958 2,845,882 Bratton Aug. 5, 1958 2,862,095 Scofield Nov. 25, 19582,914,059 Eddison Nov. 24, 1959

19. IN COMBINATION, AN APPLIANCE FOR INCINERATING WASTE AND HAVING ACASING DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY AIR-TIGHT DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATIONCHAMBER, CATALYST MEANS IN ADDITION TO THE DISTILLATION OF SAID WASTEFOR ELIMINATING ANY FREE OXYGEN FROM SAID CHAMBER, MEANS FORELECTRICALLY HEATING IN SAID CHAMBER FOR MAINTAINING A DESTRUCTIVEDISTILLATION OF SAID WASTE, AND MEANS INCLUDING SAID MEANS FORELECTRICALLY HEATING FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURES IN SAID CHAMBER TOSELECTIVELY CONTROL THE RATE OF SAID DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION.